Here we gooo.....

[Donald]

My 2 cents....

This is a very dumb move:

He had 1300 hours and I had 250.

Why bring competition, that also happens to be better qualified, on your JOB HUNT? It reminds me of the day that two shirt-and-tie college guys walked in to our quasi-bush outfit, friends that were looking for a job. The ops manager spyed an opportunity and asked them: "I can only hire one of you guys, who's the lazy one?" There was no hesitation from either one, and we laughed about it for awhile!

[DanWEC]

My 2 cents....

This is a very dumb move:

He had 1300 hours and I had 250.

Why bring competition, that also happens to be better qualified, on your JOB HUNT? It reminds me of the day that two shirt-and-tie college guys walked in to our quasi-bush outfit, friends that were looking for a job. The ops manager spyed an opportunity and asked them: "I can only hire one of you guys, who's the lazy one?" There was no hesitation from either one, and we laughed about it for awhile!

That's a funny story., but I don't know about you, I'd much rather make this trip with buddy. Among friends, I'm sure you figure how to share a job op, and since they were are 1000 hours apart I doubt they'd be hired for the same job.

PS 77... Never borrowed the hoff. Plus if the gf saw it she'd wonder how I got it down off your bedroom ceiling. That whole floating in through the window thing you have going on is....interesting.....

[FICU]

My 2 cents....

This is a very dumb move:

He had 1300 hours and I had 250.

Why bring competition, that also happens to be better qualified, on your JOB HUNT? It reminds me of the day that two shirt-and-tie college guys walked in to our quasi-bush outfit, friends that were looking for a job. The ops manager spyed an opportunity and asked them: "I can only hire one of you guys, who's the lazy one?" There was no hesitation from either one, and we laughed about it for awhile!

He is a friend and we had the time to do the trip together. His was instructing time and we were both visiting all operators that may have given us a chance. What is ironic about your statement is that the last operator we visited on our trip, in Winnipeg, had only turbo-props and a jet so this was for him. We were both tired and deflated from the long road trip and just wanted to get home but I convinced him to make this one last visit. I didn't even plan on taking my resume with me when we met the Ops Manager because of the type of operation it was but my buddy convinced me to take it in. I was the one they hired 3 months later and spent six and a half years there leaving as the senior pilot before moving on to my current job.

This should tell you that when it comes to having no operational experience it's down to the person not the hours for some operations and when on the road trip all you can do is leave your resume and a good impression. For what it's worth, this particular operation wasn't fond of instructing time but we had no idea at the time.

We're both Captains at the same company on 737s now so ultimately it wasn't that dumb was it?

[lownslow]

Advice for the YYZ-YQT stretch:

1) An extra bottle of washer fluid may not be enough. Buy a whole case of the stuff by YAM at the latest and another case when your reservoir is topped up and you have one whole jug remaining.

2) For some reason everyone gets their speeding tickets in or close to places with 'River' in their name. In Serpent River the cruiser usually hides behind the OPP station sign, Blind River police WILL pull you over for 2-3 km/h over the limit and White River must make enough speeding ticket revenue to buy a helicopter or something.

3) Cheapest gas between YYZ and YAM used to be at the Nobel Esso and another Esso that I think was just before Massey. Fill your gas tank before leaving Sault Ste. Marie. It's a looooong way to the next gas station. Just before you get to Nipigon, take the Cochrane cutoff and then your first right, there's a Native gas station there and you'll save 15-20 cents a litre.

4) Highway 400/69 and 17 to Sault Ste. Marie are dotted with Tim Hortons but after the Soo it's two hours to the next one (in Wawa) then four hours to the one after that (Nipigon). If you need your Timmy's to survive, plan accordingly.

5) When you go up around Superior, note that most hills end in turns at the bottom. They can be icy so keep your speed under control all the way down.

6) YAM-YQT is not to be driven at night.

7) Montreal River Harbour will almost always have the worst weather of the trip. Check it carefully before departing.

I think that just about sums up my experience, I've driven that stretch more than I care to think about. Good luck!

LnS.

[ogc]

I just want to reiterate the no driving at night between Sioux and Thunder Bay. Do not do it, its not worth it.

[Redneck_pilot86]

Advice for the YYZ-YQT stretch:

3) Cheapest gas between YYZ and YAM used to be at the Nobel Esso and another Esso that I think was just before Massey. Fill your gas tank before leaving Sault Ste. Marie. It's a looooong way to the next gas station. Just before you get to Nipigon, take the Cochrane cutoff and then your first right, there's a Native gas station there and you'll save 15-20 cents a litre.

LnS.

Second hand info, but I hear the highway no longer goes past that esso/wendys/tims and it is almost abandoned compared to what it used to be. Stopping in there the weekend before moose season would easily add an hour to the trip.

Also, does Nip now have a Tims?

[lownslow]

Second hand info, but I hear the highway no longer goes past that esso/wendys/tims and it is almost abandoned compared to what it used to be.

True, the highway does bypass it by at least half a mile. Don't know if that would make the gas more or less expensive now.

Also, does Nip now have a Tims?

Sure does, but don't plan on using the washroom. There's one trucker or another in there 24/7.

LnS.

[oldncold]

congrats dan, you might want to stay off of 17 from yam to yqt or take the white river turn off that runs up to 11 junction near hearst stop in horne payne and hearst air then overnight dog leg back to geraldton up to nakina back down to nipigon.oh one thing that has been mentioned in previous road trips but not yours is a full 5 gallon can of gas its not tourist season so many gas stations are on winter hours.or not open . drivn at night is ok but slow down in moose country. the only time you want to drive at night is to be at a specific geographical area in the morning , or its thursday evening and if you go friday morn the cp etc wont be around by 3pm as the weekend is upon ya.


I remember the 24 hr marathon driving legs worn out tape deck 333000k on the corolla no itunes or crackberry. lots of fun though good people along the way. drive safe

[DanWEC]

Guys, thank you so much for the suggestions. I have about 15 stops to make in Ontario, and I'll take your advice quite seriously. Night driving might not be necessary, and I'll avoid it if possible. I'm starting by directly going to Thunder bay, Being tenacious, then backtracking substantially to Cochrane. Mooseenee from there, more tenacity, then back west down through Hearst, Nakina, etc. Meet back up with 17 and go to Northwest to Souix, ear falls, red lake, ypl, down again to Kenora, possibly down all the way to Ft Francis and Atikokan. Should take about a week at most. Then to Manitoba, SK AB. Fingers crossed for something in Ontario (double crossed for Thunder Bay) to be close to the family for now. But any opportunity, IF one comes up, will be welcome and the start of a great adventure no matter where it is. Won't bat an eye having to bunk down for a while anywhere in Canada.

Cheers. Out in 30 hours. Admittedly building up a pretty heady mix of nerves and excitement.

[JMACK]

Gas line anti freeze and that 5 gallon can of gas sure would of saved my butt between YQT and YAM!!

Be safe and best of luck Bro!!

Jim

[Colonel Sanders]

YAM-YQT is not to be driven at night

Huh? Done it many times, summer and winter, when
I lived in Kakabeka Falls and worked at Great Lakes
Forest Products in the late 1970's, early 80's. Nice
grass strip at Kakabeka, er Murillo.

Personal best is 11.5 hrs (summer) from Thunder Bay
to Toronto via 350 Camaro. Can't do that during the
daytime when the RV's are on the road. Need torque
for the two-lane passing. 4 barrel Holley came in handy.
Installed quartz halogen lights before they were legal,
for spotting moose at night. Me in 1980:

http://tinyurl.com/7ru6jnz

Personal best via M20J from Thunder Bay to CYSH
across the lakes is 4.1 hrs at 13000 feet. Didn't get
much tailwind.

PS Anyone driven the ZL1 yet?

[Redneck_pilot86]

I did TBay to Barrie in 12 overnight, Family emergency and enough lighting on the truck to see 1/4 mile ahead lol. The shortcut through Sultan can shave off 3-4 hours if you know the road and know what kind of shape its in. Driving at night is not the end of the world, but there are more risks.

[Redneck_pilot86]

Second hand info, but I hear the highway no longer goes past that esso/wendys/tims and it is almost abandoned compared to what it used to be.

True, the highway does bypass it by at least half a mile. Don't know if that would make the gas more or less expensive now.
LnS.

My dad and brother went by there last fall and had a hell of a time even finding the place.

[Lost Lake]

Unless you've got a gas guzzler, you should be able to go from Toronto to McKerow (Espanola). The Esso ther is the cheapest between Barrie and SSM.

[rapid602]

If you are on a road trip to places you have never been, and driving from Toronto to Thunderbay.... Having done that drive many many many times.... please use good judgement and if you can drive from Toronto to Sudbury which is 4 to 5 hours.

Please execercise very good judgement and buy some fuel in Sudbury, who cares if its 2 cents/ltr more. If you don't know what your road is as its a first time.... buy some gas.

Toronto to McKerrow is about 6 hours.

Please drive safe .... OH if you see a deer .... DO NOT SWERVE AROUND IT AND LOOSE CONTROL OF YOUR CAR .... IF YOU SEE AN ANIMAL AND HAPEN TO HIT IT .... IT IS A COMP CLAIM ON YOUR AUTO INSURANCE. IF YOU SWERVE TO MISS IT AND DO NOT HIT IT, AND LOOSE CONTROL AND WRECK YOU CAR BY DRIVING OFF THE HIGHWAY ... IT IS A COLLISION CLAIN, AND AN AT FAULT ACCIDENT.

IF YOU SEE A MOOSE PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO STOP, WITHOUT HITTING IT AND LOOSING CONTROL OF YOUR CAR .... THEY WILL JUST MAKE FOR A REALLY BAD DAY.

[northwings]

Don't bother stopping by Hearst airport. Commercial is no longer operating. Carey lake base about 30 km west is still alive and kicking if you're looking to fly floats.

[ogc]

PS Anyone driven the ZL1 yet?

Not to many people have... but the journalists already crashed one.

[Colonel Sanders]

I still want one. Just not that one.

[JMACK]

YAM-YQT is not to be driven at night

Huh? Done it many times, summer and winter, when
I lived in Kakabeka Falls and worked at Great Lakes
Forest Products in the late 1970's, early 80's. Nice
grass strip at Kakabeka, er Murillo.

Personal best is 11.5 hrs (summer) from Thunder Bay
to Toronto via 350 Camaro. Can't do that during the
daytime when the RV's are on the road. Need torque
for the two-lane passing. 4 barrel Holley came in handy.
Installed quartz halogen lights before they were legal,
for spotting moose at night. Me in 1980:

http://tinyurl.com/7ru6jnz






Personal best via M20J from Thunder Bay to CYSH
across the lakes is 4.1 hrs at 13000 feet. Didn't get
much tailwind.

PS Anyone driven the ZL1 yet?

OMG First loops in a volcano and crosswind landings on glare ice and now driving at NIGHT!

Whats next running with scissors??? YOU MAD MAN!

J

[DanWEC]

Probably cutting those "do not remove" tags off of mattresses too!

Didn't know about Commerercial being out of biz, one of the only places I didn't call yet. There is still Hearst Air.

Ok, I'm out! Elliot Lake tonight, then Thunder bay and Moosenee for this week.
Cheers,
Dan

[BverLuver]

DanWEC,

Good luck, but you do understand that YMO is about a 12hr complete 180deg backtrack from Thunder Bay to Cochrane to get the train to YMO right?

Take care have a good trip and drive safe.

BL

[Beefitarian]

Let 'em have it Dan. Maybe put some wild life whistles on that LT1.

[Colonel Sanders]

I've always been skeptical about how well deer whistles work, esp after they get plugged up with bugs.

[DanWEC]

DanWEC,

Good luck, but you do understand that YMO is about a 12hr complete 180deg backtrack from Thunder Bay to Cochrane to get the train to YMO right?

Take care have a good trip and drive safe.

BL

Yes unfortunately. However I have to hit tbay first, maybe hang around for a day or two. Wish i could streamline it but ah we'll.

[DanWEC]

Hello, just thought I'd post an update being a few days into the trip.
First off, like to thank Lost Lake for putting me up for the night, in Elliot Lake and feeding/watering me. Super nice of him.
Even better was the call from him a few hours after I left referring me to a large operator in SK. After a phone interview there it's nice to have some good news after all the resumes sent out.
Ended up having an unplanned stay with family in Blind River the next night, during which I found out that Rick Horwath is their neighbor. I will see him on the way back hopefully.
What I've found so far is that I've vastly overpacked with food and gear... car looks like a bomb shelter store room. Once I get more rural I'm sure I'll dig into my stocks.
Next- I have a Blackberry on Bell and an iPad on Rogers. The Bell blackberry blew the goat just north of the Soo (Yes Lost, Bell!) Rogers has had spotty but decent reception the whole way for data and voip phone. So tips for travellers- get a rogers phone- prepaid or whatever, since Bell will not work around here.
Lastly- the highway between the Soo and Tbay is awesome! At least for me- clear, bare, and a hell of a lot of fun. Did half the drive at night. Only stopped around 11pm tonight because it started snowing quite a bit. On to Tbay tmrw. Probably hang around there for the weekend.

So Day two and I have one solid job offer. Will press on and evaluate all options.
Hitting the sack. Mighty Planes is on again.
Cheers!